LJ chief Malik Ishaq arrested

LAHORE – Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) head Malik Ishaq was arrested on Thursday evening, shortly after he landed at the Allama Iqbal International Airport on his return from Saudi Arabia after performing Umra.

“Yes, the City Police have rounded up Malik Ishaq from the airport and have shifted him to a safe place for interrogation,” DIG Lahore Muhammad Tahir Rai told The Nation.

He further said that Ishaq was apprehended in connection with two cases registered against him under Section 295 of PPC and Amplifier Act, some 20 days back with the Nisthar Colony Police Station. To a query, the DIG said, “Malik Ishaq while addressing a public meeting in Nisthar Colony some 15 to 20 days back had incited sectarian sentiments of the people present in the meeting.” He, however, claimed that Ishaq was not being framed in any false charge.

A source said the head of the banned outfit was brought by a special squad of Lahore Police from Saudi Arabia and handed over to the security agencies for interrogation. “He was under observation and his activities were being monitored by the security agencies,” he added.

The Punjab Police sources revealed that the banned outfit head was involved in more than 40 cases and claimed that more than 70 people had been killed with majority of the deceased belonging to the Shia community.

Also, Ishaq was released from Kot Lakhpat Jail on July 14, 2011 after 14 years of imprisonment when the Supreme Court granted him bail in the case involving a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team.

After his release, he was also detained in Rahim Yar Khan Jail for 10 days under the Maintenance of Public Order Act and his detention was also extended for 60 days on October 25.

The Lahore DIG says Ishaq has been handed over to the Investigation Wing for further interrogation.